HONORING VETERANS DAY
Nov. 10: Timed in honor of Veterans Day, Cal Veteran Services opens its new headquarters in Stiles Hall as the result of a substantial gift from UC Berkeley alum Coleman Fung (center of photo), a U.S. Army veteran. Photo by Peg Skorpinski
Nov. 10: A flag-lowering ceremony was held in front of California Hall in honor of Veterans Day and the opening of the new Cal Veterans Services Center at UC Berkeley. Photo by Peg Skorpinski
 
New Gift Expands Veterans Support and Exemplifies Berkeley's Commitment to Students from Every Background

When veterans choose to pursue a degree in higher education they often have to navigate a new set of challenges and difficult circumstances. And services that support student vets at universities and colleges are - if they even exist - often underdeveloped and under resourced. This is a situation that Coleman Fung, a former US Army Supply Sergeant who graduated from UC Berkeley in 1987, understands well. As Fung recounts, "When I attended Berkeley after I finished my service, there was no veteran services at Cal." That changed in 2008 when UC Berkeley created its student veterans services program. Since then, building on a shoe-string budget, UC Berkeley has quickly closed the gap in its services to student veterans. Now veterans support and outreach is getting a major boost thanks to a generous gift from Mr. Fung. On Nov. 10, the new Cal Veterans Services Center opened the doors to its new home on campus, preceded by a flag-lowering ceremony attended by Mr. Fung and many veterans and alum, just in time to honor Veterans Day. Read the full story on Coleman Fung and the Cal Veteran Services Center.

Also in UC Berkeley Veterans Stories:

* UC Berkeley has a long and unbroken tradition of military training and service. Explore the timeline.

* Student-veterans cheer their first campus center. Read the Berkeley News Center story.
Undocumented Student Program: Building Hope & Sense of Belonging

Fabiola Gutierrez is a senior double-majoring in Integrative Biology and Psychology at UC Berkeley, with aspirations to become a physician. In an address she made recently to the California Assembly Committee on Campus Climate, she recounted the way the Undocumented Student Program at UC Berkeley changed her life at Cal: "For the first time, I felt like I had the support system at Berkeley that I needed to be successful. I now had a space on campus that I could go to for help without fearing how they would react if they found out I was undocumented." 

Fabiola demonstrates the perseverance and talent that is a hallmark of Cal students. The support that the Undocumented Student Program provides to Fabiola, and hundreds of more undocumented students, represents the fulfillment of the Division of Equity & Inclusion's commitment to ensuring that all admitted students have access to resources necessary for academic success and feel included within the Cal community. Read more about Fabiola's story and the Undocumented Student Program.
"Berkeley is BIG on Opportunity" and "Berkeley is BIG Enough for Everyone!" are the messages Liz Halimah (left), Chief of Staff and Assistant Vice Chancellor, and Vice Chancellor Gibor Basri crafted for Berkeley's BIG GIVE campaign, to be held on Nov. 20
 
#CalBigGive: Berkeley is BIG enough for Everyone!
The Division of Equity & Inclusion is gearing up for Berkeley's BIG GIVE, a 24-hour online fundraising campaign taking place on November 20 to support students, faculty, and research. It's one day, so let's make it big! Your support on this fundraising campaign will enable Equity & Inclusion to continue its mission of creating and sustaining a healthy, inclusive campus for all students, staff, and faculty at UC Berkeley. Visit the Big Give website to learn more.

November is Native American Heritage Month
The Division of Equity & Inclusion serves Native students and staff through the Native American Student Development office, the American Indian Graduate Program, and the Native American Staff Council, member of the Coalition of Ethnic Staff Organizations. Click on the flyer at right to view events around campus related to Native American Heritage month.
The Division of Equity & Inclusion provides leadership and accountability to resolve systemic inequities for all members of UC Berkeley through engaged research, teaching, and public service, and by expanding pathways for access and success and promoting a healthy and engaging campus climate.